alumni UBC Podcasts: Recent Episodes
alumni UBC
Bringing the best of UBC to our alumni and listeners around the world. Episodes feature prominent speakers and insightful discussions about current issues, as well as covering topics related to career development and entrepreneurship.
Carol and Rumneek chat with UBC alum and the CBC’s Justin McElroy (BA’11) on his path to journalism, the changing nature of the industry, and his love of niche topics (and charts!) that have helped him connect with audiences in creative and captivating ways.
Carol and Rumneek speak with Dr. Gail Murphy, Vice-President of Research & Innovation, about UBC’s evolution into a world-class research powerhouse over the past quarter century. Dr. Murphy highlights several recent projects that reflect UBC’s innovative and collaborative approach to research, and shares her top tips for thriving in both leadership and researcher roles.
Rumneek and Carol speak with UBC’s Dr. Pieter Cullis (BSc’67, MSc’70, PhD’72), whose pioneering research on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) has received global acclaim. Without the development of LNPs, which serve as the “delivery system” for life-saving therapeutics, the mRNA COVID vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna would literally not work. Cullis’s success did not happen overnight, but was the result of years of collaborative effort, sprinkled with happy accidents along the way — plus critical early support from UBC.
Carol and Rumneek talk with rapper and singer bbno$ (baby no money, aka Alex Gumuchian) about his path to astounding musical success that coincidentally began in a big way on the day of his graduation from UBC Okanagan in 2019.
Just before his departure, Professor Santa J. Ono spoke with Carol and Rumneek about his time at UBC, including its special qualities, what he learned during his presidency, what he’ll miss, and his advice for the university moving forward.
Carol and Rumneek speak with Dr. Greg Dipple, a professor of Geological Sciences at UBC. His company is a recent winner of the $1 Million X Prize backed by the Elon Musk Foundation, funding breakthroughs on the world’s most pressing problems. Learn about his approach that uses mining waste for carbon capture.
Carol and Rumneek speak with Shannon Walsh, an associate professor in the Department of Film and Theater at UBC, and also a filmmaker. Her fifth and latest film is The Gig is Up. Hear about the ways the global gig economy is impacting not only the future of work, but society as a whole.
From Here Forward shares stories and ideas about amazing things UBC and its alumni are doing around the world. It covers people and places, truths, science, art and accomplishments with the view that sharing better inspires better. Join hosts Carol Eugene Park and Rumneek Johal, both UBC School of Journalism grads, in exploring solutions for the negative stuff out there – focussing on the good for a change, from here forward.
Traveling with Music wraps up the series on a high note -- a dream surprise for five UBC students who sing with the UBC A Cappella. Superstar voice and performance coach, Tamara Beatty, who coaches for ‘The Voice,’ ‘My Kind of Country,’ ‘I Can See Your Voice’ and ‘Masked Singer’ offers them a private session. Before the big surprise, Associate Professor of Music Theory, Leigh Van Handel contextualizes three pieces of music presented in the Summer Series, while the podcast listener enters virtual rooms full of music: a Venetian sitting room for the Classical music; an NYC jazz club for the jazz and the Chan Center for the UBC A Cappella.
Our second episode, Seeking and Moving, is divided in two parts, the first half explores the world of geocaching, as explained and experienced by Jenn Sava, Senior Manager, Business Development, Geocaching (the company); and by UBC Alumnus Matthew Le Page, who lives in Surrey and has found over 15,000 geocaches. The second portion of the episode features two women on the Summer Series virtual run, Vicky Tran, a UBC alumna who has written a witty article about her exercise routine and soon-to-be alumna Olivia Zywicki.
Wonders of Wine tells the story of wine, places Canadian and BC wines in a world context, visits a vineyard in the Okanagan, explains the connection between visual art and wine, and introduces the new-found virtual wine tasting. Wine writer, educator, presenter, and total wine expert, UBC Alumna DJ Kearny provides the backbone to this episode. A highlight -- she divulges her three favorite wines (of the day). UBC Zoology professor Chris Harley joins Kearney. He describes what it’s like to attend a virtual wine tasting –having hosted neighbors in his garden for UBC Alumni’s first event.
Joy in the Summer: alumni UBC Summer Series is a lighthearted, inspiring, three-part series that presents a summer of joyfulness and fun as told by UBC alumni; wine, music and geocaching specialists; and stay-in-the-neighborhood athletes, romantics and travelers.
Listen to all episodes at https://www.alumni.ubc.ca/summer-series
Canada has a reputation for being a welcoming destination for new immigrants and refugees. However, this reputation is not always reflected in the reality these newcomers face in British Columbia. Gaps exist in terms of education, healthcare, employment and social services, and new immigrants often face real struggles accessing the support they require. Hear from our panel of UBC and community experts online as they discuss the barriers that exist for new Canadians and explore the ways that BC and Canada can better support these individuals and families. Moderated by Michelle Eliot, BA’98, Host, BC Today, on CBC’s Radio One.
Panelists
The Honourable Janet Austin, OBC – Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Chris Friesen, BA’88 – Director, Settlement Services, Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) Amira Halperin – Sessional Lecturer, UBC Department of Sociology Guofang Li – Professor and Canada Research Chair in Transnational/Global Perspectives of Language and Literacy Education of Children and Youth in the Faculty of Education, UBC Danny Ramadan – Author, Public Speaker, LGBTQ- Refugees Activist
Presented in partnership with the UBC Faculty of Education.
Recorded November 2, 2020.
A work-optional life and early retirement seems like an unattainable yet sought after goal for most people. Can a successful investment strategy give you the freedom to live the lifestyle of your choosing, even in today’s uncertain economy and volatile markets? On this episode of My Financial Life, host Mark Ting, partner with Foundation Wealth speaks to UBC alumna Maili Wong, Senior Portfolio Manager and Executive Vice-President at Wellington-Altus Private Wealth.
This episode of My Financial Life is sponsored by The Vancouver Sun. 108 years as Vancouver's trusted voice. The Vancouver Sun is part of the Postmedia Network, one of Canada's largest print and digital news networks. Visit https://vancouversun.com
My Financial Life is a podcast mini-series about personal finance, produced by alumni UBC.
What is an investment portfolio? What assets make up an investment portfolio and how diversified should it be to be successful? What important factors should you consider when creating your own investment portfolio? On this episode of My Financial Life, host Mark Ting, partner with Foundation Wealth speaks to UBC alumnus Ian Robertson, vice-president, director, and portfolio manager at Odlum Brown Limited.
This episode of My Financial Life is sponsored by Odlum Brown Limited. Odlum Brown Limited is an independent, full-service investment firm providing disciplined investment advice and objective value-based research with a singular focus on clients. Find out more at www.odlumbrown.com
My Financial Life is a podcast mini-series about personal finance, produced by alumni UBC.
New to the investing game? Trying to make sense of the different investing strategies and asset allocation for a diversified portfolio? Need help with creating a financial plan for your future? Working with a financial advisor has many benefits on the road to reaching your financial goals. On this episode of My Financial Life, host Mark Ting, partner with Foundation Wealth speaks to Bernard Letendre, the Head of Wealth and Asset Management, Canada at Manulife.
This episode of My Financial Life is sponsored by Manulife. As a trusted partner of alumni UBC, the Manulife program is dedicated to helping UBC alumni get access to preferred rates on life, health & dental, and travel insurance. Find out more at alumni.ubc.ca/manulife
My Financial Life is a podcast mini-series about personal finance, produced by alumni UBC.
Car-sharing has become a flexible and affordable transportation solution that is appealing to more and more people every day and shifting previous trends of personal car ownership, especially in the newer generations, to increased shared mobility, ride-sharing, and expanding public transportation. On this episode of My Financial Life, host Mark Ting, partner with Foundation Wealth speaks to UBC alumnus, Dave Wharf, Senior Manager of Customer Operations at Evo Car Share.
This episode of My Financial Life is brought to you by Evo Car Share. Here to there, with room for your friends, plus Evo’s hybrid fleet is equipped with bike and ski racks, allowing you to enjoy everything the city has to offer. Sign up for free at https://evo.ca, or via the Evo Car Share app using the promo code: UBCALUMNI.
My Financial Life is a podcast mini-series about personal finance, produced by alumni UBC.
Do you want to feel motivated and inspired? Find out how, in the middle of a pandemic, our alumni from around the world are rethinking what it means to be a leader. Your Next Career Step is a podcast miniseries with a new episode airing every two weeks. In this, our final episode, we explore how career paths are forged by paying attention to possibilities.
In Episode 8, host, Nicole Yeasting, BA’11, Manager of alumni UBC’s Career Program is joined by Kari Marken, PhD’19. Kari is a Lecturer at the UBC Sauder School of Business. She holds a PhD in Curriculum Studies from the UBC Faculty of Education. Her research focuses on imagination and storytelling in teaching and learning. Join us to learn how you can pay attention to your own possibilities and how it may broaden your perspectives as you start your career.
Supported by the alumni UBC Pillar Partners, TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, BMO alumni UBC Mastercard and Manulife Financial.
Do you want to feel motivated and inspired? Find out how, in the middle of a pandemic, our alumni from around the world are rethinking what it means to be a leader. Your Next Career Step is a podcast miniseries with a new episode airing every two weeks. On the final four episodes, we explore how career paths are forged by paying attention to possibilities.
In Episode 7, host, Nicole Yeasting, BA’11, Manager of alumni UBC’s Career Program is joined by Carina Koo, BCom Candidate‘23, and Chirag Jadhwani, BCom Candidate‘22, hosts of the podcast, “The Empathy Show”. These two UBC students focus on the themes of empathy and emotional intelligence in their podcast that they launched last fall.
Carina is a second-year student studying commerce and specializing in organizational behavior and human resources, with a minor in Sociology. Chirag is a third-year student at UBC studying commerce and computer science. Learn how these two students use empathy to address issues that exist in their daily lives and how we can all bring more empathy and change to our communities.
Supported by the alumni UBC Pillar Partners, TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, BMO alumni UBC Mastercard and Manulife Financial.
Do you want to feel motivated and inspired? Find out how, in the middle of a pandemic, our alumni from around the world are rethinking what it means to be a leader. Your Next Career Step is a podcast miniseries with a new episode airing every two weeks. On the final four episodes, we explore how career paths are forged by paying attention to possibilities.
In Episode 6, host, Nicole Yeasting, BA'11, Manager of alumni UBC’s Career Program speaks with alumnus Grant Munro, BSc'01. Grant is a serial entrepreneur who recently founded a B2B venture studio aimed at launching 3-4 new SW businesses a year. Prior to that, he was the founder of Flashstock Technology, a leading provider of on-demand visual content for the world’s leading brands.
Flashstock was acquired by Shutterstock in 2017 for $75 million Canadian. To date, Grant has helped more than 250 enterprise marketing teams, including AB InBev, L'Oréal, Nestlé, and McDonald's amongst many others, change the way they think, develop, and source creative content at scale.
Supported by the alumni UBC Pillar Partners, TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, BMO alumni UBC Mastercard and Manulife Financial.
Do you want to feel motivated and inspired? Find out how, in the middle of a pandemic, our alumni from around the world are rethinking what it means to be a leader. Your Next Career Step is a podcast miniseries with a new episode airing every two weeks. On the next four episodes, we explore how career paths are forged by paying attention to possibilities.
In Episode 5, host, Nicole Yeasting, BA’11, Manager of alumni UBC’s Career Program speaks with alumnus Zain Meghji, BA’00. Zain currently resides in Vancouver and is the head of video for Daily Hive, where he serves as the Creative Director of Video for their branded content arm, Hive Labs. Zain was a Bollywood actor in Mumbai, taught high school drama in England, and more recently was a broadcaster for a morning television show, and has interviewed Hollywood celebrities including Oprah, Beyoncé, Will Smith and Lady Gaga.
Supported by the alumni UBC Pillar Partners, TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, BMO alumni UBC Mastercard and Manulife Financial.
Do you want to feel motivated and inspired? Find out how, in the middle of a pandemic, our alumni from around the world are rethinking what it means to be a leader. Your Next Career Step is a podcast miniseries with a new episode airing every two weeks. On the first four episodes, we explore the idea of ‘Adapting through Change’. Join us in conversation as we learn from industry experts and alumni about career and professional development.
In Episode 4, host Nicole Yeasting, BA ’11, Manager of alumni UBC’s Career Program speaks with Leah Allinger Pezer, BA’02. Leah is a Researcher at the University of Calgary and Principal CoFounder at Lead the Future. She shares her experience as a professional athlete, how sport and leadership are intertwined and how to better understand employees motivations during change and uncertainty.
Supported by the alumni UBC Pillar Partners, TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, BMO alumni UBC Mastercard and Manulife Financial.
Do you want to feel motivated and inspired? Find out how, in the middle of a pandemic, our alumni from around the world are rethinking what it means to be a leader. Your Next Career Step is a podcast miniseries with a new episode airing every two weeks. On the first four episodes, we explore the idea of ‘Adapting through Change’. Join us in conversation as we learn from industry experts and alumni about career and professional development.
In Episode 3, host, Nicole Yeasting, BA’11, Manager of alumni UBC’s Career Program speaks with Dr. Wendy Carr, MEd’97, Professor of Teaching and Senior Advisor to the Dean of the Faculty of Education at UBC. They discuss how to define and build resilience during challenging times. Dr. Carr has had a long career in education in the school system as teacher and district level consultant, as well as in post-secondary, as a teacher educator and administrator. Her work in recent years in mental health literacy education has included the co-creation of a curriculum for pre-service teachers to develop their understanding and skills related to youth mental health.
Supported by the alumni UBC Pillar Partners, TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, BMO alumni UBC Mastercard and Manulife Financial.
Do you want to feel motivated and inspired? Find out how, in the middle of a pandemic, our alumni from around the world are rethinking what it means to be a leader. Your Next Career Step is a podcast miniseries with a new episode airing every two weeks. On the first four episodes, we explore the idea of 'Adapting through Change'. Join us in conversation as we learn from industry experts and alumni about career and professional development.
In Episode 2, host, Nicole Yeasting, BA'11, Manager of alumni UBC's Career Program, speaks with Magdalena Blasiak, BA'99, a UBC alumna, Certified Leadership Coach, Project Management Professional, and owner of Shine Forward Consulting about what we can do as individuals and leaders to lead effective teams while working remotely.
Supported by the alumni UBC Pillar Partners, TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, BMO alumni UBC Mastercard and Manulife Financial.
Do you want to feel inspired and motivated? Find out how, in the middle of a pandemic, our alumni from around the world are rethinking what it means to be a leader. ‘Your Next Career Step’ is a podcast miniseries with a new episode airing every two weeks. On the first three episodes, we explore the idea of ‘Adapting through Change’. Join us in conversation as we learn from industry experts and alumni about career and professional development.
In Episode 1, host, Nicole Yeasting, BA ’11, Manager of alumni UBC’s Career Program, speaks with Adel Gamar. A UBC Sauder Executive Education instructor and CEO and Co-Founder of Gamar Leadership Group. An expert on adaptive leadership, organizational strategy, and change management.
Presented in partnership with UBC Sauder Executive Education.
Supported by alumni UBC’s affinity sponsors, TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, BMO alumni UBC Mastercard and Manulife Financial.
Are you interested in going on an internship abroad and learning more about what the benefits are for your personal, professional, and academic life? Or maybe you are already getting ready to go on an international internship or study abroad program and want to find out ways to make the most of the experience. This podcast is for you!
Join us as we listen to our panelists share stories about their international internships and how they flourished through these experiences. They will share stories on how navigated the peaks and valleys, explored their interests and skills, how their networks helped them along the way, and what they learned about themselves throughout.
Moderator:
Denise Preira BA'17 - Co-op Coordinator, UBC Engineering
Panelists:
Jessica Johanson - 5th Year Natural Resources Conservation Gisèle Karuranga Umuhoza - 4th Year Global Resource System Jovin Shumbusho - 3rd Year International Relations
Recorded March 27th, 2020.
Presented by UBC Centre for Student Involvement & Careers with support from alumni UBC.
alumni UBC and the Centre for Student Involvement & Careers bring together current UBC international students and alumni who came to UBC as international students annually for Launch a Career in Canada. The panelists shared stories of their career journeys with attendees and gave their insights on how they made the transition from UBC to the Canadian workplace.
MODERATOR:
Njoki Mburu: 4th year student, Faculty of Land & Food Science
PANELISTS:
Aimie Lee, BCom'17 - Search Engine Optimization Specialist, Lululemon Farhan Hussain, BA'18 - Media Specialist, UBC Studios Hamza Saber, BASc'13 - Slidepath Engineer, WhiteWater West Industries Love-Ese Chile, PhD'17 - Principal Researcher & Consultant, Grey to Green Sustainable Solutions
Recorded March 9, 2020, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre on UBC's Vancouver campus.
On March 10, 2020, Dean Blye Frank, UBC Faculty of Education, hosted a special talk and panel discussion on mental health, featuring Humble The Poet. Humble The Poet (Kanwer Singh) is a former school teacher turned into a best-selling author, hip-hop artist, designer, filmmaker, influencer and public speaker in the area of education, leadership and self-development. He has authored two best sellers that are thematised around mental wellbeing.
Recorded March 10, 2020, at UBC Robson Square in Vancouver, BC.
Presented by the UBC Faculty of Education.
Did you know that the Canadian video gaming industry in Canada has grown by over 20% since 2017? There are almost 700 gaming studios producing games of all varieties in Canada today, and of those, over 80% of those are in BC, Ontario and Quebec.
This industry supports over 48,000 full time roles in the country, which tells us there is a huge opportunity not just in work directly related to game development, but in non-technical roles as well. But with rumors of the feared “100 hour work week”, and deadline after deadline, is working in gaming all is it cracked up to be? Come find out as we discuss the good, the bad, and the unexpected at Industry Nights: Careers in Video Gaming.
Keynote
Christi Rae – Director of Production – Microsoft (Coalition)
Panel
Rose Gunson – Esports Creative Program Manager (Gears of War), Microsoft Heidi Eaves – COO, Relic Entertainment Tim Holloway – Director, Esports – Aquilini Entertainment Dominic Gross – General Manager at Nintendo of Canada
Presented by UBC’s Centre for Student Involvement and Careers, UBC Esports, and UBC Recreation, with support from alumni UBC.
Considering entrepreneurship as a potential career direction? Hear from a panel of distinguished women who will share stories from their entrepreneurial journeys. Hear about mistakes they made and some of the lessons they learned along the way. Success doesn’t come easily, so find out what it took for these remarkable entrepreneurs to get to where they are now. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore whether entrepreneurship could be the right path for you.
Moderator
Noelle Wang – 4th Year UBC Bachelor of International Economics student
Panelists
Betsy Ng, BSc’10 – Co-Owner & Founder, Elephant Garden Creamery Gerri Sinclair, BA’68, PhD’76, DSc’02 – Managing Director (Vancouver Office), Kensington Capital Valerie Song, BCom’14 – CEO and Co-Founder of AVA Technologies Inc. Michela Toscano, MBA’12 – Principal, IONICA
Recorded January 29, 2020, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre on UBC's Vancouver campus.
Presented by UBC Centre for Student Involvement & Careers with support from alumni UBC.
In December 2019, alumni UBC launched a year-long series that will connect and engage alumni around the theme of leadership. The series kicked off in Vancouver with an evening where UBC alumni gathered to network and learn from high-profile industry leaders.
The evening began with a panel discussion where the leaders shared some of their learning and advice, as well as challenges they’ve faced in their career journeys. Following the program, attendees had the opportunity to meet the panelists and local alumni in an open networking environment over food and refreshments. Attendees - recent grads and well-established alumni alike - walked away feeling inspired, keen to develop their own leadership skills and pave their own paths to leadership.
Host
Shelina Esmail, BA'93 - Partner, PFM Executive Search; alumni UBC board member
Moderator
Robin Gill, BA'93 - Global National BC Correspondent & Weekend Anchor
Panelists
Zack Eberwein, BASc'17 - Chief Executive Officer, Stoko
Carmen Lee, BA'01 - Associate Director and Global Workday Alliance Marketing Lead, Deloitte
Ryan Spong, BA'99 - Co-Founder and CEO, Foodee; Co-Founder and Owner, Tacofino
Marsha Walden, BCom'80 - President and CEO, Destination British Columbia
Recorded December 4, 2019, at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver, BC.
Career Development Program Sponsor: Manulife
Supported by: BMO alumni UBC Mastercard and TD Insurance
Find out more at https://www.alumni.ubc.ca/event/alumnights-leadership-lessons/
There is a common misconception that the only way to get a job in Tech is to have a Computer Science degree. However, as the world of work continues to see an increase in technological advances, so do the opportunities to grow in a Tech career. Whether you're just exploring what a working in Tech could look like or you are actively searching for opportunities within the industry, this discussion is for you!
Listen to a panel of alumni from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds share their how they got into the Tech industry. They share stories on how navigated their career peaks and valleys, explored their interests and skills, and how their networks helped them along the way in getting into the Tech industry.
Panelists:
Brianna Blaney BCOM '12| Founder + CEO at DeepND Inc, Founder + Managing Partner at Envol Strategies. Emily Cheung BA '17| Production + Digital Marketing Coordinator at Nintendo, Canada. Jason Quach BKin '16| Marketing Automation Manager at SAP Lee Ling Yang BSc '10 MSc '13| Product Manager at CTO.ai
Recorded November 14, 2019, at the UBC Centre for Student Involvement and Careers on UBC’s Vancouver campus.
Presented by UBC Centre for Student Involvement & Careers with support from alumni UBC.
Don't miss this in-depth conversation with alumnae leaders as they share their career journeys, offer advice and propose new ideas and ways of thinking about the workplace. Discover how they have broken barriers, achieved success and are building a better, stronger, more inclusive workplace. Moderated by Dean Robert Helsey from the UBC Sauder School of Business.
Host - Salina Dharamsi, BCom'13 - Senior Manager-Campus Acquisition Talent, PwC Canada Panelist - Leana Keto, MBA'18 - Venture Leader, Creative Destruction Lab Rockies Panelist - Shari Sentner, MBA'96 - President & COO, Tallinn Capital Energy Panelist - Arlene Strom, LLB'97 - Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Suncor Energy Inc.
Presented by UBC Sauder School of Business and the Peter A. Allard School of Law.
Recorded October 29, 2019, at the Hyatt Regency Calgary in Calgary, AB.
Canada is widely regarded as a leader in diversity and inclusion, leading the way for LGBTQ2 equality. Major strides including formal legislation have been made toward advancing equality, but more needs to be done. This begs the question – is it time to wave the flag?
2019 marks the 50th Anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada. Hear from the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of BC, and Santa J. Ono, President & Vice Chancellor, UBC, alongside prominent LGBTQ2+ leaders and advocates, as they share their unique perspectives and vision for shaping a diverse and more inclusive society in Canada and beyond.
Hosted by The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and UBC President & Vice-Chancellor Santa J. Ono. With support from UBC Community Engagement and UBC Equity & Inclusion.
Moderator Lien Yeung, MJ’15 – Host and Producer, CBC Vancouver News
Panelists Cicely Blain, BA’16 – CEO, Cicely Blain Consulting Libby Davies – Member of Parliament (1997-2015), Public Speaker, Writer and Community Activist Amin Ghaziani – Professor of Sociology and Canada Research Chair in Sexuality and Urban Studies, UBC Ahmad Danny Ramadan – UBC Masters Student, Author, Public Speaker, LGBTQ-Refugees Activist Lorimer Shenher – Former police officer; author, This One Looks Like A Boy Mark Tewksbury – Olympic Champion Swimmer; Co-Founder, The Great Traits
Recorded November 13, 2019, at the Vancouver Playhouse in Vancouver, BC.
Today, like never before, we have choices around marriage—not just in whether or not we will get married but we are freer to have the types of marriages we want. But as the framework of modern relationships changes, who benefits? Four UBC academics converge to tackle these questions from every angle: What are the social costs of marriage? Has it lost its significance in our culture? And is it an unfair privilege for monogamous couples only? Four brief talks followed by a panel discussion.
Presented by the UBC Women’s Health Research Cluster and UBC Faculty of Arts.
Panelists Dr. Marina Adshade – Faculty Member, Vancouver School of Economics Dr. Yue Qian – Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology Mandy Len Catron – Adjunct Professor, Creative Writing Program Dr. Carrie Jenkins – Professor, Department of Philosophy
Recorded October 25, 2019, at UBC Robson Square in Vancouver, BC.
One million species around the world are at risk of extinction—many in the next few decades. British Columbia is home to more biodiversity than any other place in Canada. But from our caribou herds to southern resident killer whale pods and from our whitebark pines to Behr's Hairstreak butterflies, we're struggling to safeguard our natural heritage. Hear from world-class researchers, hosted by 2011 MacArthur Fellow Sarah Otto, as they outline the recent science and pinpoint conservation approaches that work. They’ll look at how BC and Canada can help lead the transformational change needed to preserve Earth's threatened biodiversity.
Presented by UBC Faculty of Science.
Panelist - Dr. Sarah Otto - Professor, UBC Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology; UBC Biodiversity Centre
Panelist - Dr Cole Burton - Assistant Professor, UBC Faculty of Forestry; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
Panelist - Dr. Jeannette Whitton - Associate Professor, UBC Faculty of Science, Department of Botany; Director, UBC Herbarium
Recorded October 8, 2019, at UBC Robson Square in Vancouver, BC.
Recorded October 8, 2019, at UBC Robson Square in Vancouver, BC.
For generations, there was an expectation that children would spend their free time playing outdoors, developing friendships, and exploring their neighbourhoods without direct parental supervision. However, in recent decades we have seen a dramatic decline in the independent mobility of children. A worrying consequence of this shift is that Canadian society is now facing a physical inactivity crisis among children and youth. What is driving these changes and how can we reverse this trend?
On September 18, 2019, we presented the premiere screening of Running Free: Children’s Independent Mobility, produced by Professor Guy Faulkner of UBC’s School of Kinesiology. Told through the eyes of three families, this 26-minute documentary explores the concept of children’s independent mobility, the benefits for children’s mental health, and challenges viewers to consider solutions to this issue. Following the screening there was a panel discussion about the film’s themes. To watch the documentary, visit www.alumni.ubc.ca/running
This program took place on September 18, 2019, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre on UBC’s Vancouver campus.
Host Guy Faulkner – Professor, School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia; Canadian Institutes of Health Research-Public Health Agency of Canada Chair (CIHR-PHAC) in Applied Public Health
Moderator Shiral Tobin – Director of Journalism and Programming, CBC British Columbia
Panelists Adrian Crook – Senior Digital Strategist and Civic Advocate; Founder, 5Kids1Condo.com
Mariana Brussoni, MA’96, PhD’00 – Developmental Psychologist; Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics and the School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia
Negin Riazi – Doctoral Candidate, School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia
Robyn Pitman – Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of British Columbia; Registered Clinical Counsellor and Registered Marriage and Family Therapist
Presented in partnership with UBC School of Kinesiology. Supported by UBC Faculty of Arts and BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit. UBC Dialogues presenting sponsor is Scotiabank®. Official broadcast and online media partner is CBC.
Margaret Trudeau is a Canadian icon, celebrated both for her role in the public eye and as a respected mental-health issues advocate. From becoming a prime minister’s wife at a young age, to the loss of both her son and her former husband, to living with bipolar disorder, Margaret tirelessly shares her personal stories to remind others of the importance of nurturing the body, mind, and spirit.
Presented by the UBC Faculty of Education, in partnership with alumni UBC.
Recorded June 5, 2019, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver in Vancouver, BC.
Listen to a panel of recent UBC graduates as they share how they navigated the peaks and valleys of their student experience, explored their interests and developed skills, and how their networks helped them along the way in their career development. This is a great way to hear from people who have been in your shoes.
Moderator: Grace Hur BCom'19 Panelists: Freddy Francis BSc'17, Nina Huynh BA'18, Ben Stevens BASc'18, and Diandra Tolton BA'18
Recorded May 8, 2019, at the UBC Centre for Student Involvement and Careers on UBC's Vancouver campus.
Presented by UBC Centre for Student Involvement & Careers with support from alumni UBC.
Wildfire is an essential process in forest ecosystems, but can be incredibly destructive in the wildland-urban interface. Wildfire is driven by climate, weather and fuels that vary among ecosystems and through time. The combination of land-use change, fire exclusion and global warming have made many forests highly susceptible to intense fires that are difficult to control and contain. Revolutionizing forest and fire management will improve ecosystem resilience to climate change, but we will not stop future fires from burning. Successful adaptation must also include individuals and communities learning how to coexist with wildfire. What does this mean for the upcoming fire season in British Columbia? Are there specific fire risks we need to pay attention to in the Capital Regional District?
Hear a presentation from the UBC Faculty of Forestry’s Professor Lori Daniels, MSc’94, followed by a Q&A that was moderated by UBC’s President & Vice-Chancellor, Professor Santa J. Ono.
Presented in partnership with the UBC Faculty of Forestry.
Omar El Akkad is a journalist and author of the novel American War which depicts a disturbingly believable future of America at war with itself. The novel was runner up for CBC Canada Reads, shortlisted for the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize, and described as “masterful” by the Globe and Mail.
In this talk El Akkad unpacks the events that inspired his debut novel, from growing up on imported culture in Qatar, to witnessing a soldier’s burial in blistering Afghanistan, to visiting the one truly Kafka-esque place in the world. He ultimately asks us to consider what will happen to the world if we continue forward unchanged.
The talk is followed by a Q&A moderated by Dr. Y-Dang Troeung and Dr. Phanuel Antwi from the Department of English Language and Literatures.
Presented by UBC Asian Canadian & Asian Migration Studies Program, School of Journalism, Department of English Language and Literatures, St. John's College and Faculty of Arts.
Recorded March 11, 2019, at the Chemistry Building on UBC’s Vancouver campus.
From basketball to recreational skiing and hiking, assistive technologies are helping break down barriers to sport participation for persons with disabilities or health concerns – and to support individual mental and physical wellbeing. Listen as a panel of athletes, changemakers, and leaders share their personal experiences, and discuss ways that sport is being transformed – by technology and people – to broaden participation and to change our understandings of (dis)ability. Beyond just technology, we’ll hear stories of resilience and perseverance, while also gaining a better understanding of what more is needed to ensure equal participation for all.
Moderator
Matt Dolf, PhD’18 - Director, Strategic Support, UBC Wellbeing
Speakers
Dr. Andrea Bundon, MA’08, PhD’14 - Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology Gail Hamamoto, BA’91 - Executive Director, BC Wheelchair Sports Association; Vice President, Canadian Paralympic Committee Donovan J. Tildesley, BA’08 - Former Canadian Paralympic Swimmer; flag bearer of Canada at the 2008 Paralympic Games
Presented in partnership between alumni UBC and UBC Equity & Inclusion.
Recorded April 8, 2019, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre on UBC's Vancouver campus.
Each year, alumni UBC and the Centre for Student Involvement & Careers bring together current UBC international students and alumni who came to UBC as international students for Launch a Career in Canada. At this evening program, a panel of alumni provide their insight and expertise as industry professionals, share valuable lessons of career successes and challenges, and share practical tips on making a successful transition from UBC to the Canadian workplace.
Recorded March 19, 2019, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre on UBC's Vancouver campus.
Presented by UBC Centre for Student Involvement & Careers and alumni UBC.
For some people, working globally has always been a goal while for others, it is something they are only starting to consider with the world of work becoming increasingly more connected across global boundaries. Working globally provides the opportunity to expand your knowledge about different cultures, develop transferrable skills such as communication and adaptability, or build networks around the world.
Listen as a panel of UBC alumni and professionals share how they navigated their career peaks and valleys, explored their interests and developed skills, and how their networks helped them along the way in their global career journeys.
Recorded March 14, 2019, at the Simon K. Y. Lee Global Lounge at UBC Vancouver.
Presented by UBC Centre for Student Involvement & Careers with support from alumni UBC
What is the basis of addiction? Hear from internationally renowned UBC alumnus, author, speaker, and leading expert on addictions and trauma, Dr. Gabor Maté, CM, BA’68, MD’77, as he presents “The Hungry Ghost: A Biopsychosocial Perspective on Addiction, from Heroin to Workaholism“. The presentation is followed by an audience Q&A. Moderated by Mike Killeen, co-host of CBC Vancouver News at 6 pm.
Recorded February 28, 2019, in downtown Vancouver, BC. The contents of this recording is © Dr. Gabor Maté (https://drgabormate.com)
About the Talk - The Hungry Ghost: A Biopsychosocial Perspective on Addiction, from Heroin to Workaholism (Based on the book In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction)
For twelve years Dr. Maté was the staff physician at a clinic for drug-addicted people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, where he worked with patients challenged by hard-core drug addiction, mental illness and HIV, including at Vancouver Supervised Injection Site. In his most recent bestselling book In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts, he shows that their addictions do not represent a discrete set of medical disorders; rather, they merely reflect the extreme end of a continuum of addiction, mostly hidden, that runs throughout our society. In The Realm Of Hungry Ghosts draws on cutting-edge science to illuminate where and how addictions originate and what they have in common.
Contrary to what is often claimed, the source of addictions is not to be found in genes, but in the early childhood environment where the neurobiology of the brain’s reward pathways develops and where the emotional patterns that lead to addiction are wired into the unconscious. Stress, both then and later in life, creates the predisposition for addictions, whether to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, or to behavioural addictions such as shopping or sex.
Helping the addicted individual requires that we appreciate the function of the addiction in his or her life. More than a disease, the addiction is a response to a distressing life history and life situation. Once we recognize the roots of addiction and the lack it strives (in vain) to fill, we can develop a compassionate approach toward the addict, one that stands the best chance of restoring him or her to wholeness and health.
The Master Mind Master Class speaker series is an alumni UBC program that offers an unprecedented look into the minds of modern thinkers making a unique impact on the world, and the lessons they’ve learned.
While most of us use it almost every day, credit remains a mystery for many people. On this episode of My Financial Life, host Kirk Lapointe, editor-in-chief of Business in Vancouver and adjunct professor at the UBC School of Journalism, speaks to Terry Tan, branch manager for BMO, about personal credit.
This episode of My Financial Life is brought to you by the BMO alumni UBC Mastercard. Reward yourself and support valued programs and services for the global alumni community every time you use it. Find out more at alumni.ubc.ca/bmo.
My Financial Life is a five-episode podcast mini-series about personal finance, produced by alumni UBC.
It’s easy to overspend when you’re planning (or enjoying) a trip. But there are tricks and travel hacks that can help you save money. On this episode of My Financial Life, host Kirk Lapointe, editor-in-chief of Business in Vancouver and adjunct professor at the UBC School of Journalism, speaks to Amanda Butler, expedition leader for alumni UBC’s travel partner, Worldwide Quest.
This episode of My Financial Life is brought to you by the alumni UBC Travel Club. Learn about the unique travel experiences available to UBC alumni at alumni.ubc.ca/travel.
My Financial Life is a five-episode podcast mini-series about personal finance, produced by alumni UBC.
What is responsible investment? If you choose to align your investment decisions with your values, what impact will it really have on the world? Are “ethical” investments good investments for your portfolio? On this episode of My Financial Life, host Kirk Lapointe, editor-in-chief of Business in Vancouver and adjunct professor at the UBC School of Journalism, speaks to UBC alumnus, Ian Robertson, vice-president, director, and portfolio manager at Odlum Brown Limited.
This episode of My Financial Life is sponsored by Odlum Brown Limited. Odlum Brown Limited is an independent, full service investment firm providing disciplined investment advice and objective value-based research with a singular focus on clients.
My Financial Life is a five-episode podcast mini-series about personal finance, produced by alumni UBC.
What are the benefits of starting your financial planning early? If you made challenging financial decisions in the past, what steps do you need to take to get back on track? On the first episode of My Financial Life, host Kirk Lapointe, editor-in-chief of Business in Vancouver and adjunct professor at the UBC School of Journalism, speaks to UBC alumna, Tracy Theemes, a financial advisor and certified financial planner at Sophia Financial, Raymond James.
My Financial Life is a five-episode podcast mini-series about personal finance, produced by alumni UBC.
Barack Obama cited their insights on inequality from The Spirit Level, now internationally acclaimed health researchers Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett have new lessons to share in their latest offering, The Inner Level: How More Equal Societies Reduce Stress, Restore Sanity and Improve Everyone's Well-Being.
In this talk, Wilkinson and Pickett explain how inequality affects us individually, altering how we think, feel and behave. They share the overwhelming evidence that material inequities have powerful psychological effects: when the gap between rich and poor increases, so does the tendency to define and value ourselves and others in terms of superiority and inferiority.
This talk was presented by the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Arts, and MASS LBP, with support from alumni UBC.
Recorded February 4, 2019 at UBC Robson Square in Vancouver, BC. This recording was produced by the University of British Columbia. We are pleased to be able to share it with you, our alumni and subscribers.
For many people, there is the misconception that their academic discipline must match exactly with the career path they choose or you may have been faced with the question of what you are going to do with your degree by well-intentioned friends and family. While the thought of “choosing the right career” can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming when you don’t quite see the link to your academics.
Listen to our panel of alumni and professionals share their how they navigated their career peaks and valleys, explored their interests and developed skills, and how their networks helped them along the way in non-linear career journeys.
Panelists • Rick Chung BA‘08 • Chandra Jade BA’13, MEd‘18, R.C.C • Holman Wang BEd’95, MASA’98 and LLB’05
Recorded January 16, 2019.
Presented by UBC Centre for Student Involvement & Careers with support from alumni UBC
Beloved by audiences around the world, The Joy Luck Club (dir. Wayne Wang) has provoked heated debates about race, gender, and representation. Twenty-five years after its release, and on the heels of the recent success of Crazy Rich Asians, actress Tamlyn Tomita joined UBC Assistant Professor JP Catungal (Social Justice Institute) in conversation. Ms. Tomita shares her favourite memories from production (and the ones she can’t share), which scene was improvised, what she learned from the mothers in the film, and why you need to know yourself first before you can tell other people’s stories.
The Joy Luck Club retrospective screening was presented by the Asian Canadian & Asian Migration Studies Program and the Department of Theatre & Film, with support from the Faculty of Arts and alumni UBC.
Recorded January 16, 2019, at Frederic Wood Theatre in Vancouver, BC. This recording was produced by the University of British Columbia. We are pleased to be able to share it with you, our alumni and subscribers.
In this era of #metoo, #timesup, #letstalk and #blacklivesmatter, story-telling—individually and collectively—matters more than ever. In this talk, famed novelist Isabel Allende unpacks the power of story to, as she says, “make the world good—not just better.” An unrepentant feminist who exhorts audiences to speak with passion and purpose about what must not be forgotten, Allende explores themes of social justice, female empowerment, and personal and political freedom with hope and good humour.
UBC Connects is presented by University of British Columbia President Santa J. Ono, in partnership with alumni UBC. The UBC Connects series is made possible with the generous support of the R & J Stern Family Foundation.
Recorded November 20, 2018, at The Vancouver Playhouse in Vancouver, BC. This recording was produced by the University of British Columbia and originally released on the the UBC Connects series website. We are pleased to be able to share it with you, our alumni and subscribers.
Building a strong professional network is critical to career success, yet some people find it challenging. Listen to this panel discussion and Q&A with four UBC alumni as they share stories of how they navigated the peaks and valleys of networking in their career journeys.
Presented in partnership with the UBC Centre for Student Involvement & Careers.
Recorded November 21, 2018, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre on UBC's Vancouver campus.
Did you know that nearly one in five Canadians will experience a mental health or substance use problem each year? Young people age 15 to 24 years are more likely to experience a mental health and/or substance use challenge than any other age group. Yet, many find mental health uncomfortable to discuss, leading them to delay, or avoid, seeking help. Open conversations about mental health and stories of recovery can work to remove the stigma, facilitate engagement with services, and improve the outcomes of individuals seeking help. Are there specific groups that have unique mental health needs? How are their needs being met in Calgary? What external factors are impacting the mental health needs in the city? How can society provide ongoing support so that the mental health issues experienced in the community don’t become crises?
Hear from UBC President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Santa J. Ono, as well as UBC alumni and friends as they participate in an important conversation about mental health in Calgary.
Moderator - Professor Santa J. Ono – President and Vice-Chancellor, University of British Columbia Panelist - Karen Gosbee – Mental Health Advocate and Community Leader Panelist - Laureen MacNeil – Executive Director, Canadian Mental Health Association Calgary Region (CMHA Calgary) Panelist - John Ogrodniczuk – Professor and Director, UBC Psychotherapy Program, Faculty of Medicine, UBC; Founder, HeadsUpGuys Panelist - Edward Taylor – Associate Dean, Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus; Co-Director of the UBC Interprofessional Mental Health Clinic
Throughout his career, including his three terms as mayor of the City of Calgary, Naheed Nenshi has always emphasized the importance of civic engagement. Hear his talk "Creating the Cities and Country We Deserve." Moderated by Anita Bathe - Reporter, CBC Vancouver
The Master Mind Master Class speaker series is an alumni UBC program that offers an unprecedented look into the minds of modern thinkers making a unique impact on the world, and the lessons they’ve learned.
Recorded November 1, 2018, in Vancouver, BC.
Ensuring sustained economic growth while minimising environmental impact is a global challenge. Access to affordable energy has reduced poverty by more than a half since 1990, and yet approximately 1 billion people still live without access to the most basic energy services. Moreover, the rest of us need to face the mounting evidence on the negative impacts of our energy use (poor air quality, climate change, geopolitical instability, etc.) However, and despite the bad news, there is cause for optimism: UBC is the first Canadian university with a sustainability policy, and its research and innovation are leading the way to a low-carbon economy.
The energy transition will require political will, significant investment, and above all, clarity of thought. In this talk, Walter Mérida, Director, UBC's Clean Energy Research Centre; Associate Dean of Research and Industrial Partnerships; Professor, UBC Department of Mechanical Engineering, will describe the challenges and opportunities in sustainable energy systems. He will provide a few examples of UBC’s world-leading research on some of the enabling technologies including renewable energy, hydrogen technologies, and advanced electric vehicle infrastructure. These new technologies can enable urban assets to become active participants in city-scale energy management schemes. The new technologies, services and business models may enable cities to go beyond zero impact: providing a net benefit to human and planetary wellbeing.
Recorded November 1, 2018, at The Royal Society in London, UK.
The world seems more divided than ever. Social media has made it easy to follow like-minded individuals, creating echo chambers where dissenting opinions can be filtered out. As our viewpoints have grown more polarized, conversations between opposing sides – online or in person – have become more heated. This environment has enabled populist movements to rise and hashtag activism to thrive. Are these divisions new, or have they just become more visible? How can we overcome the most cynical manifestations of anger, such as name-calling and tribalistic thinking? Is it still possible to express differences of opinions in a respectful and constructive way?
Hear from our panel of UBC and community experts as they discuss the growing divide of public discourse.
Moderator - Stephen Quinn – Host, CBC Radio One’s The Early Edition Panelist - Bridgitte Anderson – General Manager, Edelman Vancouver Panelist - Cicely Blain, BA’16 – Writer, Facilitator, Activist, Artist; Founder, Black Lives Matter Vancouver Panelist - Catherine Corrigall-Brown – Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of British Columbia Panelist - Alfred Hermida – Director and Associate Professor, School of Journalism, University of British Columbia; Co-founder, The Conversation Canada
UBC Dialogues Presenting Sponsor: Scotiabank Official Broadcast and Online Media Partner: CBC
Recorded October 15, 2018, at UBC Robson Square in downtown Vancouver, BC.
UBC Connects is presented by University of British Columbia President Santa J. Ono, in partnership with alumni UBC. The series (www.ubc.ca/ubcconnects/) is made possible with the generous support of the R & J Stern Family Foundation.
In his characteristic fun, friendly and highly accessible manner, theoretical physicist and bestselling author Michio Kaku presents a succinct history of physics and makes a compelling case for why this particular branch of science is the key to pretty much everything.
He argues that physicists may soon shrink the science of the Big Bang into an equation as small as Einstein’s famous e=mc², and that advances in string theory may allow us to escape the heat death of the universe, explore the multiverse, and unlock the secrets of existence.
Whether you slept through high school science or are about to defend your thesis in quantum physics, your curiosity and imagination is sure to be ignited by this spellbinding session with one of the world’s most famous scientists.
Recorded September 26, 2018 at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, on UBC’s Vancouver campus.
This recording was produced by the University of British Columbia and originally released at @universityofbc. We are pleased to be able to share it with you, our alumni and subscribers.
Photo: Paul Joseph/ UBC Brand and Marketing
Headlines have linked the decline of Southern resident killer whales to just about everything—noise, shipping, toxins, whale watching and fishing. But are these the real threats to the survival of this iconic species? Hear from UBC marine mammal researcher Andrew Trites as he separates facts and research from popular assumptions. British Columbians care deeply about killer whales and feel responsible for protecting them. Presented in partnership with UBC Faculty of Science. Recorded September 27, 2018, in Victoria, BC.
The Pacific Northwest enjoys an enviable reputation for its attractive job market, scenic beauty, and the quality of life available to its residents. At the same time, it is clear that many aspects of life in this region, from health to urban infrastructure, business and beyond, could be greatly improved by data-guided optimizations. The Cascadia region has long been a global leader in technology development, and is now taking the lead in its understanding of how the use of "big data" can help develop innovations for social good. These innovations are transforming our society in a multitude of ways, but, as we have witnessed acutely in recent months, there are trade-offs to this increased data collection, analysis, and use. How can we gain from the social and technological innovations made possible by this data, while at the same time creating systems to improve accountability, transparency and privacy protections?
Hear from UBC’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Santa J. Ono, UBC's Vice-President, Research & Innovation, Gail Murphy, and a panel of UBC and industry experts in Seattle as they discuss data for good.
Presented in partnership with UBC Faculty of Applied Science and UBC Sauder School of Business.
This program took place September 10, 2018, in Seattle, WA.
We can all identify the qualities that have traditionally defined masculinity. Of course there's strength, contribution, independence, and assertiveness, but also emotional detachment, dominance, and violence. These traits are so entrenched in our culture that they have become normalized. However, in light of the #MeToo movement and the increasing understanding of the influence patriarchy, rape culture, and toxic masculinity have on our societal norms, ideas around what it means to be "a man" have been questioned. What would a healthier and more respectful view of masculinity look like? What will it take to change attitudes and behaviours in the current generation and what steps do we need to take to ensure our children develop healthy ideas around masculinity?
Hear from our panel of UBC and community experts in the Okanagan as they discuss the changing societal views of masculinity in the 21st Century.
This UBC Dialogues program took place September 5, 2018, in Kelowna, BC.
UBC Dialogues Presenting Sponsor is Scotiabank and the Official Broadcast and Online Media Partner is CBC.
Want a preview of what your future may look like? How are your aging parents or grandparents living their elder years? Will you age the same way? While aging is inevitable for us all, there are steps we can take to help our loved ones, and ourselves, lead longer, healthier, and more independent lives. Hear from UBC Faculty of Medicine Executive Associate Dean Roger Wong and Professor Janice Eng, as well as UBC alumni and friends in Hong Kong, as they have an important conversation about healthy aging. Learn about new technologies that can make homes safer, as well as simple solutions for improving socialization and combating loneliness in seniors.
Recorded June 19, 2018, at Club Lusitano in Hong Kong.
Every day we read about the new ways that digital technologies and big data are changing the way we live. In areas as diverse as healthcare, heavy industry, transportation, and communication technologies, the future is increasingly digital. Canada's new Digital Technology Supercluster, based on the west coast, is a collaborative consortium with the goal of ensuring Canada's competitiveness in the digital world. Hear from UBC's president and vice-chancellor, Professor Santa J. Ono, and a panel of UBC experts as they have an in-depth discussion about the promise and challenges of the big data digital world we now live in. What concerns will we face in the years ahead? What opportunities will arise? How will the Digital Technology Supercluster position Canada as a global leader in digital technologies?
Panelists
Gail Murphy - Vice-President Research & Innovation at the University of British Columbia; Professor, Department of Computer Science; Co-Founder & Director, Tasktop Technologies Incorporated
Anoush Poursartip - Director, Composites Research Network; Professor, Department of Materials Engineering, University of British Columbia
Azim Shariff - UBC's new Canada 150 Research Chair of Moral Psychology
Recorded May 1, 2018, at the Globe & Mail Centre in Toronto, ON.
In April 2016, BC declared a public health emergency in response to the rapid rise of fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses in the province. Since then, the problem has only worsened, with the number of overdose deaths in 2017 exceeding 2016’s totals by a significant margin. What are the factors contributing to this crisis and what are the consequences of this increase in drug use and addiction? How can we support individuals at higher risk and can changes to policy mitigate overdose risk?
Hear from four top UBC researchers and clinicians from UBC Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry, Arts and Pharmaceutical Sciences as they present their research in a series of short MEDtalks.
Recorded April 19, 2018, at UBC Robson Square in downtown Vancouver, BC.
UBC Connects is presented by University of British Columbia President Santa J. Ono, in partnership with alumni UBC. The series (www.ubc.ca/ubcconnects/) is made possible with the generous support of the R & J Stern Family Foundation.
During her work for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Waneek Horn-Miller came to understand that if we are to embrace the true spirit of Indigenous reconciliation, we need to make it a way of life-a cornerstone of how we proceed as a multicultural society, and not a mere destination to be gained and forgotten. In this important talk, the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) mother, activist, Olympian, and entrepreneur makes the case for fostering a collective culture of listening and dialogue; for extending empathy to those with different outlooks and not shying away from debate; and for applying solutions-based thinking rooted in shared aspirations. She unpacks the hard but necessary work ahead of us to address societal wrongs, live in harmony, and heal those who need it most-no matter who they are or where they come from.
Recorded Thursday, April 19, 2018 at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, UBC’s Vancouver campus.
This recording was produced by the University of British Columbia and originally released at @universityofbc. We are pleased to be able to share it with you, our alumni and subscribers.
This special program featured readings from three award-winning authors who are Indigenous voices and UBC Creative Writing alumni, followed by a Q&A, moderated by new Chair of the UBC Creative Writing Program, and acclaimed author, Alix Ohlin. Featured authors: Eden Robinson, Katherena Vermette, and Jordan Abel.
Recorded March 19, 2018, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre on UBC's Vancouver campus.
UBC Connects is presented by University of British Columbia President Santa J. Ono, in partnership with alumni UBC. The series (https://www.ubc.ca/ubcconnects/) is made possible with the generous support of the R & J Stern Family Foundation.
The global economy is in distress. Economists warn of another two decades of declining productivity, slow growth, steep unemployment, and increasing inequality. Around the world, the economic downturn is fueling growing discontent towards governments, and spawning extreme political movements. And now, after 200 years of industrial activity, scientists report that climate change is ravaging the planet and threatening to cause the sixth mass extinction of life on Earth. In this enlightening presentation, Jeremy Rifkin presents a new vision of a Smart Third Industrial Revolution that can take Canada and the world into a sustainable ecological civilization and a more equitable global economy over the next several decades. Moura Quayle, Director pro tem of the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, moderates a question and answer session with the audience.
Recorded Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, UBC’s Vancouver campus.
This recording was produced by the University of British Columbia and originally released at https://soundcloud.com/universityofbc. We are pleased to be able to share it with you, our alumni and subscribers.
Cultural diversity enriches a community in many ways. New business and learning opportunities emerge, organizations broaden the scope of their activities and services, and community members’ perspectives become more global. However, cultural inclusivity is not easy to achieve. Often, individuals’ experiences in the community, labour market, housing, and educational spaces, as well as their access to healthcare, vary depending on their cultural backgrounds. What steps do we need to take to make Kelowna more inclusive for a growing multicultural community?
Recorded March 15, 2018, in Kelowna, BC.
Moderator - Sarah Penton - Host, CBC Radio One’s Radio West Panelist - Susana Caxaj - Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health & Social Development, UBCO; Lead Investigator, Cross-Cultural Approaches for Health and Wellness (CAHW) lab, UBC Panelist - Katelin Mitchell - Immigrant Services & Operations Manager for KCR - Community Resources Panelist - Mohini Singh - City Councillor; Community Activist Panelist - Carlos Teixeira - Professor of Geography, Irving K. Barber School of Arts & Sciences, UBC Okanagan
UBC is a top-40 research university where open, innovative thinking is changing the world. In areas as diverse as brain health, human-computer interaction, linguistics, and advanced materials, UBC researchers are leading the way. Hear from UBC President and Vice Chancellor Professor Santa J. Ono and four UBC researchers who will present highlights from their work.
Recorded January 31, 2018, at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, ON.
Jeff Todd, Executive Director, alumni UBC & Associate Vice President, Alumni, in conversation with UBC alum, Jason Ding, MSc’94. Ding is a partner in Bain & Company’s Beijing office as well as the head of Digitalization practice in China and the head of Consumer Products and Retail practice in Greater China. Jason shared his experiences since graduating from UBC as well as some of the lessons he’s learned about leadership and life.
Recorded December 12, 2017, in Beijing, China.
Presented by UBC Research + Innovation, in partnership with the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies and alumni UBC
What’s next for Canada? On November 29, 2017, UBC President Santa J. Ono hosted a dynamic and forward-looking evening featuring Order of Canada recipients David Suzuki, Shelagh Rogers, Sophie Pierre, Trevor Linden, Wade Davis, and Robert Silverman. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Order of Canada, these featured guests shared their unique vision for building a better Canada with CBC Radio host Duncan McCue (Cross-Country Checkup).
This episode features David Suzuki – scientist, broadcaster, author, and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. To listen to the full, unedited, program visit www.alumni.ubc.ca/podcasts/building-better-canada/
Presented by UBC Research + Innovation, in partnership with the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies and alumni UBC
What’s next for Canada? On November 29, 2017, UBC President Santa J. Ono hosted a dynamic and forward-looking evening featuring Order of Canada recipients David Suzuki, Shelagh Rogers, Sophie Pierre, Trevor Linden, Wade Davis, and Robert Silverman. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Order of Canada, these featured guests shared their unique vision for building a better Canada with CBC Radio host Duncan McCue (Cross-Country Checkup).
This episode features Sophie Pierre – former First Nations chief and British Columbia Treaty Commission head. To listen to the full, unedited, program visit www.alumni.ubc.ca/podcasts/building-better-canada/
Presented by UBC Research + Innovation, in partnership with the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies and alumni UBC
What’s next for Canada? On November 29, 2017, UBC President Santa J. Ono hosted a dynamic and forward-looking evening featuring Order of Canada recipients David Suzuki, Shelagh Rogers, Sophie Pierre, Trevor Linden, Wade Davis, and Robert Silverman. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Order of Canada, these featured guests shared their unique vision for building a better Canada with CBC Radio host Duncan McCue (Cross-Country Checkup).
This episode features Robert Silverman – internationally celebrated pianist. To listen to the full, unedited, program visit https://www.alumni.ubc.ca/podcasts/building-better-canada/
Presented by UBC Research + Innovation, in partnership with the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies and alumni UBC
What’s next for Canada? On November 29, 2017, UBC President Santa J. Ono hosted a dynamic and forward-looking evening featuring Order of Canada recipients David Suzuki, Shelagh Rogers, Sophie Pierre, Trevor Linden, Wade Davis, and Robert Silverman. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Order of Canada, these featured guests shared their unique vision for building a better Canada with CBC Radio host Duncan McCue (Cross-Country Checkup).
This episode features Shelagh Rogers – broadcast journalist, University of Victoria Chancellor, and long-standing honorary witness to the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. To listen to the full, unedited, program visit https://www.alumni.ubc.ca/podcasts/building-better-canada/
Presented by UBC Research + Innovation, in partnership with the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies and alumni UBC
What’s next for Canada? On November 29, 2017, UBC President Santa J. Ono hosted a dynamic and forward-looking evening featuring Order of Canada recipients David Suzuki, Shelagh Rogers, Sophie Pierre, Trevor Linden, Wade Davis, and Robert Silverman. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Order of Canada, these featured guests shared their unique vision for building a better Canada with CBC Radio host Duncan McCue (Cross-Country Checkup).
This episode features Trevor Linden - National Hockey League all-star and philanthropist. To listen to the full, unedited, program visit https://www.alumni.ubc.ca/podcasts/building-better-canada/
Presented by UBC Research + Innovation, in partnership with the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies and alumni UBC
What’s next for Canada? On November 29, 2017, UBC President Santa J. Ono hosted a dynamic and forward-looking evening featuring Order of Canada recipients David Suzuki, Shelagh Rogers, Sophie Pierre, Trevor Linden, Wade Davis, and Robert Silverman. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Order of Canada, these featured guests shared their unique vision for building a better Canada with CBC Radio host Duncan McCue (Cross-Country Checkup).
This episode features Wade Davis – explorer, anthropologist, author and UBC professor. To listen to the full, unedited, program visit https://www.alumni.ubc.ca/podcasts/building-better-canada/
Is sitting the new smoking? The benefits of physical activity are well-known, from chronic disease prevention to increased overall quality of life. However, sedentary lifestyles and fear of serious injury can act as barriers to a physically active lifestyle in adults and opportunities for outdoor risky play in kids.
Hear from a panel of UBC and community experts as they speak about risky play, concussions, and chronic disease prevention through physical activity before discussing the risks and rewards of leading an active lifestyle.
Recorded November 8, 2017, in Victoria, BC.
One of the most respected filmmakers of his generation and a true artist, Atom Egoyan is the director behind modern classics such as Exotica, the Oscar-nominated The Sweet Hereafter, Ararat, and Chloe. A master of visual and verbal storytelling, Egoyan takes bold non-linear routes through complex psychological terrain in his films.
Hear from Atom Egoyan as he shares how he tells compelling stories in Canadian film and a rapidly changing industry, and why bold film-making has never been more important than it is in our current global political climate.
The Okanagan’s wine industry is relatively young compared to the world’s classic wine regions. It was largely a local endeavor in its early days, but over the past few decades the world has taken notice. Okanagan wines are already held in high regard, but can our new world wines truly compete with the old? What qualities separate good wines from world class ones?
Hear from Okanagan winery owners and winemakers as they walk participants through a tasting of their prize-winning wines and a lively panel discussion to show how Okanagan wines stack up against the best.
Recorded November 2, 2017, in Kelowna, BC.
Vancouver has developed a reputation as a difficult place to raise kids. The high cost of childcare - for those who can find a spot - and the difficulty finding suitable housing have led many prospective parents to delay starting a family or explore alternatives, such as life in the suburbs. Those who choose to have kids in Vancouver often end up making sacrifices in their careers, lifestyles, or financial situations to make it work. Given these challenges, as well as the risks posed by the proliferation of unlicensed childcare facilities, how can government, employers, developers and community groups work together to build a more child-friendly Vancouver?
Recorded September 26, 2017, at the Creekside Community Recreation Centre in Vancouver, BC.
Innovation rarely comes as a single spark of inspiration. More often, it results from ideas coming together and efforts aligning in exciting new directions. For this to happen, there needs to be an innovation ecosystem that supports collaboration. When industry, government, and universities work together, it is possible to harness the research and talent that exists in society and take advantage of efficiencies to make progress. Hear from UBC President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Santa J. Ono as well as local and UBC experts in Calgary as they discuss the unique challenges and opportunities Canada faces in nurturing its innovation ecosystem and learn about some initiatives that are putting Canada on track to become an innovation powerhouse.
Hear from Professor Ono as he shares his early priorities and interests as well as gathers input from alumni and friends on how we can continue to strengthen our university.
Recorded in North Vancouver, BC, on July 27, 2017.
It’s no surprise that great universities can have a positive influence on industry. When you have the brightest minds conducting leading edge research, the benefits are clear. In the Bay Area, a cluster of high profile academic institutions have contributed to the growth of a robust, world-leading innovation ecosystem. But how do these relationships work and in what ways can they bridge the gaps from academia to industry to encourage continued growth and positive changes in the industry? Has Silicon Valley moved past its prime? What are the threats facing its longevity? Can academic influences improve the tech sector’s gender imbalance? Could these linkages support the expansion of the tech sector into the Cascadia Corridor? Hear from our panel as they discuss the strong influence of academia on innovation ecosystems, and their subsequent evolution.
Moderator: Savannah Peterson - Founder and Chief Unicorn, Savvy Millennial
Panelists: Dr. Ossama Hassanein, MASc'74, MBA'76 - Entrepreneur, Mentor, and Venture Capitalist; General Partner, Newbury Ventures
Ray Kruck, MBA'92 - Founder, Nexgate and Pointgrey Partners; Associate, Creative Destruction Lab West
Dr. Marc-David Seidel - Director of the W. Maurice Young Centre for Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Research; The RBC Financial Group Professor of Entrepreneurship; Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources (OBHR) at UBC Sauder School of Business
Jennifer Vancini, MBA’93 – Managing Partner, Pointgrey Partners; Partner, The Angels Forum
Recorded June 27, 2017, in Palo Alto, CA.
For years the possibility of new and expanded pipelines running across BC have raised questions related to First Nations land rights, coastal tanker traffic, and the nature of inter-provincial relationships. Underlying these questions, however, has always been the larger question of why we are continuing to invest in fossil fuel infrastructure at all given our international climate commitments. Hear from a panel of experts as they examine the economic, environmental, and public policy ramifications of the recent approvals.
Recorded June 5, 2017, in Vancouver, BC.
Who wouldn’t want to live in Victoria? The city is known for its inviting lifestyle, affordable housing, good schools, plentiful green spaces, and solid career opportunities. It’s so tempting, in fact, that recent years have seen a spike in the number of newcomers setting up home. This growth in population, however, means that the very enticements that brought people here in the first place could be put at risk. Hear from a panel of UBC and community experts for a discussion about how good city planning, a solid housing strategy, and a diversifying economy can support growth while maintaining the lifestyle that will continue to make Victoria a desirable place to live, build a career, or raise a family.
Recorded May 15, 2017, in Victoria, BC.
In his new book of non-fiction, Solitude: A Singular Life in a Crowded World, Governor General’s Award-winner, Michael Harris, BA’02, explores the profound emotional and intellectual benefits of being alone. He examines why our experience of solitude has become so impoverished and guides readers away from a life of ceaseless pings toward a balanced media diet. Hear from Harris and moderator, Maureen Medved, MFA’94, as they conduct a brief reading, conversation, and Q&A.
Recorded May 11, 2017, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre on UBC's Vancouver campus.
Professor Santa Ono recently took office as the 15th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. Professor Ono shares his early priorities and interests as well as gather input from alumni and friends on how we can continue to strengthen our university. He also speaks with Professor Andrea Damascelli, Professor and Scientific Director of the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, about the important research and innovation being carried out at UBC.
Recorded April 25, 2017, in Tokyo, Japan.
The government of Canada has tabled legislation legalizing and regulating the sale, possession and use of cannabis. While the benefits and drawbacks of legalization have been debated for years, the complexity of doing so has become clear now that legalization is imminent. Hear from our panel of experts in Toronto as they discuss what this means for the evolution of the cannabis growing industry, the medical challenges and opportunities, and what lawmakers have considered and should consider when designing a cannabis legalization framework.
Recorded April 20, 2017, in Toronto, ON.
Scientific evidence has been telling us for years that our oceans are in peril. So why have we not been able to rectify the situation?
Hear from Dr. Daniel Pauly, internationally-acclaimed fisheries scientist and principal investigator of the Sea Around Us, in a discussion that will bring to light the perilous state of the world’s oceans today.
Dr. Pauly touches upon what actions would really need to be taken – by policy makers and citizens alike – in order for the overwhelming evidence of damage to our oceans to be translated into policy and practice to save them from a dire future.
Scientific innovation is accelerating at a breathtaking rate, with big data and related disciplines such as genomics opening up new possibilities in areas including health, sustainability and the environment.
As advances are made though, as a population, are we even aware of the types of moral, ethical and scientific questions that we should be asking?
As part of the UBC University Killam Professor Lecture series, hear from three of UBC's newest Killam professors and world-leading scientists Dr. Sarah Otto, Dr. Loren Rieseberg and Dr. Bob Hancock in a discussion on the impact and implications of big data and genomics within their fields.
With the rise of populism in the U.S. and Europe, the time is right for a frank discussion on the realities of racism and critical reflection on white privilege in Canada. Recent events make it clear that it can and does happen here. Experts from UBC and the University of Alberta participate in this provocative panel discussion.
Recorded March 20, 2017, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre.
In March 2016, Canadian-Iranian academic Dr. Homa Hoodfar, best known for her research on the role of women in Muslim societies, was arrested in Tehran by Iran's Revolutionary Guards. She was accused publicly of "dabbling in feminism and security matters" related to the recent election, and in June, after her bail was increased, she was jailed in Tehran's Evin Prison. There she faced many long interrogation sessions, constant threats of lengthy jail sentences and psychological torture while suffering from deteriorating health. In late September, after months of campaigning and diplomatic maneuvering, she was finally released and returned to Canada.
Hear from Professor Hoodfar as she shares her story and discusses the reasons why academic freedom remains so important in modern society and why freedom of expression needs to be protected as a global right. The conversation was moderated by Dr. Kathryn Harrison, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts and a Professor of Political Science at UBC.
The Master Mind Master Class speaker series is an alumni UBC program that offers an unprecedented look into the minds of modern thinkers making a unique impact on the world, and the lessons they’ve learned.
Nearly one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. While many start experiencing symptoms as youth, the stigma surrounding mental illnesses often leads individuals to delay or avoid diagnosis. Much work is being done locally to help our youth get the help they need in order to build healthy, fulfilling lives. This spring in the Okanagan, a new facility called Foundry Kelowna will open its doors and, for the first time, youth will have access to coordinated and integrated primary care, clinical mental health, substance use, social services, and youth and family peer support and navigation. Will these commitments to youth mental health decrease the stigma of seeking treatment? Will Kelowna be able to improve access to care in a population where 75% of young people who need help do not get access to it? In what ways can early mental health support and treatment help to prevent future crises?
Recorded February 23, 2017, in Kelowna, BC.
From sustainability to technology to science education to health care, what are the key innovation opportunities and challenges facing BC? What investments will boost our economy and improve British Columbians’ quality of life? Listen as a panel of UBC researchers highlight key science and tech issues in the lead up to BC’s 2017 election.
This event took place February 21, 2017, at Science World at Telus World of Science in Vancouver, BC
Professor Santa Ono recently took office as the 15th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. In a series of In Conversation events, presented by alumni UBC, Professor Ono will share his early priorities and interests as well as gather input from alumni and friends on how we can continue to strengthen our university. Hear from this accomplished researcher and educator, who is a firm believer that dialogue is crucial for sharing ideas and bringing about transformation.
Winemakers in BC have traditionally used stainless steel and oak barrel vessels in the fermentation and ageing processes. Yet there are two new kids on the block: amphora (clay) and concrete now making their way into local cellars. Each affects the makeup of the wine differently, not only because of the diverse materials but also because they allow varying amounts of oxygen to be exposed to the wine within. Winemakers and experts have their preferences as there are advantages and disadvantages to all types in their cost-effectiveness, insulating properties and space efficiency. But what are their effects on taste and expressions of terroir? Historically, consumers can recognize and appreciate the unique qualities that fermentation in oak can impart to wines, but can they recognize the qualities of the others? Does the vessel play an important role in consumer’s enjoyment of wine?
Recorded January 26, 2017, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre on UBC's Vancouver campus.
Explore the secrets of "Babies" with Dr. Janet Werker, a world-leading developmental psychologist.
Following a special screening, Dr. Werker leads a discussion about the acclaimed documentary Babies, directed by award-winning filmmaker Thomas Balmès.
Babies joyfully captures on film the earliest stages of the journey of humanity that are at once unique and universal to us. It explores the differences and similarities in early childhood development through following the first year of four babies from around the world, from Mongolia to Namibia to San Francisco to Tokyo.
These earliest moments of childhood have also been the focus of Dr. Werker’s award-winning research that has transformed our understanding of language acquisition and has had an enormous influence on child development, parenting, education and clinical practice, both in Canada and around the world.
In conversation with Dr. Krista Byers-Heinlein, Associate Professor of Psychology at Concordia (and a former graduate student of Janet’s), Janet sheds light on how the foundations of language begin in early infancy, and that the acquisition of two or more languages from birth comes as naturally as learning a single mother tongue.
The University Killam Professor Lecture Series is presented by UBC's Office of the VP Research and Office of the Provost VP Academic in partnership with the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies and alumni UBC.
Around the world, popular app- and web-based services such as Uber and AirBnB have disrupted traditional business models and sparked explosive growth in the sharing economy. Consumers have embraced these services for their convenience and cost savings, but as they enter highly regulated industries, they face friction from both traditional operators and hesitant governments who raise legal and safety-related concerns. In some jurisdictions, legislators have responded to their constituents by making regulatory changes allowing these types of companies to legally operate. Vancouverites, however, have seen nothing but delayed decisions and increased regulations that make it difficult – if not impossible – for these services to exist.
Hear from UBC and community experts, from Mobi, Car2Go and the City of Vancouver, as they examine the pros, cons, and unanswered questions about the state of the sharing economy in Vancouver.
Recorded November 28, 2016, in Vancouver, BC.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder leading to dementia. About 11% of the population age 65 and older and about one-third of people age 85 and older suffer from the disease. The world is facing a dementia epidemic, and the number of people affected will reach 81.1 million by 2040. Annual global cost is estimated to surpass $1.1 trillion in 2030. Less than 1% of Alzheimer’s disease are familial cases with early onset caused by genetic defects, and a majority of cases are sporadic without known causes. Unfortunately the mechanisms leading to development of Alzheimer’s disease remain elusive, and currently there is no effective prevention and treatment for AD. There has been tremendous scientific progress in uncovering the myth of this “most dreaded” disease and many potential preventions and treatments have being tested. Alzheimer's disease is a global health priority, and we are at a critical time to find effective preventions and a cure for this prevalent aging-related disorder.
Hear about the current understanding of the development of Alzheimer’s disease as well as the future of prevention and cure from Dr. Weihong Song, Canada Research Chair in Alzheimer's Disease and a Full Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UBC.
Recorded October 27, 2016, at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Hong Kong.
From his Oscar-winning score for The Red Violin to his opera The Ghosts of Versailles, his acclaimed Symphony No. 3, Circus Maximus, and his Grammy-winning Conjurer: Concerto for Percussionist and String Orchestra, American composer John Corigliano has built one of the richest, most unusual, and most widely celebrated bodies of work of any composer in the last forty years. His “architectural” method of composing has allowed him to forge a strikingly wide range of musical materials into arches of compelling aural logic. Take a look into the mind and method of this internationally-renowned composer.
Professor Santa Ono recently took office as the 15th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. In this, the second in a series of In Conversation events, presented by alumni UBC, Professor Ono shares his early priorities and interests as well as gathers input from alumni and friends on how we can continue to strengthen our university. Hear from this accomplished researcher and educator, who is a firm believer that dialogue is crucial for sharing ideas and bringing about transformation.
Recorded November 10, 2016, in Richmond, BC.
Nature would not exist without chemicals. In recent years, however, consumers have become suspicious of all things artificial or chemical, leading to an explosion in claims about the benefits of “organic,” “natural,” and “pure” foods and products. Where did these fears originate? How should we address them? Does marketing drive chemophobia or does science back up our fears? While we may be right to be concerned about what’s in our food, products, and environment, we may be surprised about where the real dangers lie.
Recorded November 17, 2016, at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna, BC.
With all the world mad to travel to Cuba and having to content themselves with crowded resorts, it’s still possible to go behind the scenes and to explore, first hand, the culture, food and Cuban communities of this most amazing little country on the cusp of change. Hear from tour leader and agrologist, Wendy Holm, MSc'74, as she shares stories about this very special journey highlighting sustainable agriculture, architecture, private restaurants (paladares), a 5-night stay at Havana’s fabulously iconic Hotel Nacional, a discussion about Cuba from a Canadian perspective, plus more delightful opportunities to meet local experts.
Learn more about this April 2017 Cuba travel experience at alumni.ubc.ca/travel
Professor Santa Ono recently took office as the 15th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. In this, the first in a series of In Conversation events, presented by alumni UBC, Professor Ono shares his early priorities and interests as well as gathers input from alumni and friends in the Okanagan community on how we can continue to strengthen our university on both campuses. Hear from this accomplished researcher and educator, who is a firm believer that dialogue is crucial for sharing ideas and bringing about transformation.
Recorded October 27, 2016, in Kelowna, BC.
On November 8th, U.S. citizens decided the long-awaited question: Who will be the next President of the United States? The 2016 presidential election has defied predictions and mystified experts. Two days post-election, experts in the areas of elections, economics and the environment provided an analysis of the results and discussed what the next four years may hold for the U.S. and its relationship with Canada and the world.
At the December 2015 Paris climate conference (COP21), 195 countries agreed to reduce their carbon emissions and limit global climate change. While the agreement was ambitious, it also recognized that less developed countries would require more time to begin reducing their emissions. While some question whether it is fair to hold them to the same standard as societies that grew wealthy from carbon-driven industry, it is also clear that many of these countries have the most to lose. What structural changes need to be made to allow less developed countries to combat climate change as equal partners? Are there technologies that will allow them to leapfrog carbon and achieve sustainable economic growth?
In this provocative UBC Dialogues program, experts examine the challenges and opportunities facing less developed countries in the years ahead.
Join Dr. Blye Frank, Dean of UBC’s Faculty of Education for his inaugural FRANKLY SPEAKING event, featuring Professor Santa J. Ono, President & Vice-Chancellor, UBC; Dr. Stan Kutcher, Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health, and Director, World Health Organization Collaborating Center in Mental Health Policy and Training; and Jessica La Rochelle, BA’06, Assistant Director, NITEP and Leader, NITEP Mental Health and Wellness Program. In the spirit of ideas worth advancing, the theme will be Mental Health Literacy. One in five Canadians will experience a mental health illness in their lifetime and mental health issues affect up to half the total student population at many universities. Mental health literacy encompasses the knowledge, beliefs and abilities that enable the recognition, management or prevention of mental health problems with a range of benefits including early recognition and intervention, and reduction of stigma associated with mental illness.
As Global Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company, the world’s premier management consultancy, Dominic Barton, BA’84, LLD’12, is uniquely positioned to identify the qualities that make a great leader. In fact, throughout his 30-year career with the firm, he has made it his mission to meet and learn from top leaders worldwide. Join him for an intimate conversation as he shares experiences from his personal journey since graduating from UBC as well as some lessons he has learned about leadership and life. Recorded October 5, 2016, in Toronto, ON.
Learn about the implications and opportunities that the global economy presents, through Scotiabank’s Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist Jean-François Perrault’s expert market knowledge. Presented by Scotiabank, in partnership with alumni UBC and UBC Sauder School of Business.
British Columbia has one of the world’s most diverse and interconnected coastal ecosystems. Pacific Salmon’s majestic migration from river to ocean is a cultural and ecological hallmark of the region. However, dramatic fluctuations in Salmon populations have raised alarming questions about human impact on the coast’s environment and the fragility of the entire ecosystem. Questions that can only be answered with long-term, collaborative and ambitious research partnerships. Join representatives from British Columbia’s Hakai Institute, UBC’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, and the UBC Centre for Aquaculture & Environmental Research as they discuss the interconnected web of changing seascapes, food webs, and ocean conditions impacting the BC coast, and its wild Pacific Salmon. Recorded September 29, 2016, in Victoria, BC.
If you could take a pill that would decrease your stress and anxiety while improving your physical health, focus, and happiness – with no side effects – wouldn’t you take it!? Mindfulness isn’t a pill, but an evidence-based approach to well-being that it is available to you anytime and anywhere. UBC alumna Anita Cheung, BSc’13, leads you through an exploration of how the practice of mindfulness can improve your mental health and pave the way to personal and professional vitality.
There’s a lot to love about Vancouver. From the mountains and the beaches, to the walkable neighbourhoods and abundant year-round leisure activities; it’s not surprising that the city regularly tops “most liveable city” lists. However, this global attention has contributed to a red-hot housing market that, combined with relatively low-paying career opportunities, has left many Vancouverites questioning whether their futures might look brighter elsewhere. A constant stream of news reports suggest that the Vancouver lifestyle is becoming out of reach for many people. Is this really the case or do we simply need to shift our expectations? Do families have any choices besides moving to the suburbs and beyond?
Recorded June 14, 2016, in Vancouver, BC.
For decades, Alberta’s fortunes have been closely tied to the global price of oil. With 15 per cent of the province’s employment being in the oil and gas sector and estimates that each of these jobs drives two indirect jobs, it is clear that when this sector is struggling, the entire economy feels the effects. In a world where fossil fuels are increasingly stigmatized and some are expensive to produce, should Alberta focus heavily on diversifying its economy in the months and years ahead? How can the province recover and find the opportunities in this transformation?
Recorded June 6, 2016, in Calgary, AB.
Curiosity propels both research and learning, the very things that UBC is known for. As students, we have the freedom to indulge our curiosity, but as we head off into the world, we often abandon it in favour of security. What does it mean to live with a spirit of curiosity?
Listen as iconic Canadian actor William Shatner shares stories about the fascinating places his curiosity has led him, and the possibilities that await us if we follow our own.
Moderated by Fiona Forbes, BA'93. This talk was recorded May 28, 2016 at UBC100: What’s Next? at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
The topic of ‘human-robot interaction’ will still be a hot one in 100 years. The tools may change but the problems, such as “How do people and robots get along?” will remain the same. Questions surrounding what robots should do; and how we can share, operate safely, communicate, take turns, teach robots, and generally get along together will continue to be problems requiring solutions. The efforts we make to establish the ‘rules of engagement’ now will certainly be foundational to our future relationships.
Moderated by Marc Parlange - Dean and Professor, UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science. This talk was recorded May 28, 2016 at UBC100: What's Next? at UBC's Vancouver campus.
We are living a turning point in history, the moment when we are re-envisioning industrial society. We now know that the cumulative impacts of our fossil fuel economy threaten the air we breathe, the water we drink and even a stable economy and climate. The good news is that major advances in technology and the dramatic drop in the price of renewable energy make the scale of change necessary within our grasp.
Moderated by Kathryn Harrison, PhD'93 - Senior Associate Dean, UBC’s Faculty of Arts; Professor of Political Science. This talk was recorded May 28, 2016 at UBC100: What’s Next? at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
Through the power of his own story and the inspiration he’s found in others, Rick Hansen encourages us all to dream big and make a difference in our own lives and in the world. Rick challenges audiences to check their own attitudes and question the barriers to success that hold them back from reaching their full potential.
Moderated by Brian Kwon, MedRes’00, PhD'04 – Canada Research Chair in Spinal Cord Injury; Associate Director, Clinical Research, ICORD; Associate Scientific Director, Rick Hansen Institute. This talk was recorded May 28, 2016 at UBC100: What's Next? at UBC's Vancouver campus.
What will we eat when we need to feed 11 billion people globally by 2100? With rapid population increase and climate change coupled with the focus on cash crops and loss of food diversity, is a fundamental shift in our diets and the way our food is supplied essential for us to be able to feed ourselves equitably worldwide? Hear from chef, restauranteur and climate change activist, Meeru Dhalwala, on her insights on these and other aspects of our future food sources.
Moderated by Rickey Yada, BSc’77, MSc’80, PhD’84 – Dean and Professor, UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems. This talk was recorded May 28, 2016 at UBC100: What's Next? at UBC's Vancouver campus.
CBC: Change or start over? The challenge of transforming large institutions.
All broadcasters are adapting to revolutionary changes to their business; from the content they provide, to the way Canadians use their services. But how do you transform your organization when you are an iconic public institution, one as revered and sometimes maligned as Canada's public broadcaster? Join Hubert T. Lacroix, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada as he talks about the challenges and opportunities of change at Canada's largest cultural institution, and what the Government's reinvestment in public broadcasting will mean for Canadians.
Recorded May 24, 2016, in Vancouver, BC
UBC researchers are leading the world towards a brighter future. To celebrate UBC’s Centennial year, we held a series of programs that will bring the best of UBC research to communities across the country. This episode features key UBC researchers in areas as diverse as earthquakes, developmental psychology, human rights, and personalized medicine, presenting highlights from their work before engaging in a brief discussion about the important role their research plays in modern society.
Vancouver is a beautiful place to live and the ability to enjoy the west coast lifestyle is an important factor in many people’s job satisfaction. Recognizing this, the city’s best employers often shape their workplace culture accordingly, offering flexibility and unique benefits to attract the city’s top talent. However, given the hot local housing market and challenging economy, both employers and employees will undoubtedly need to make trade-offs in the years ahead. What are the key workplace trends that individuals should be aware of? How is the culture of the modern workplace changing? Where do opportunities exist and what challenges lie ahead?
There’s been much debate among psychologists, economists and social scientists over the relationship between money and happiness – specifically, whether money can buy happiness. While some researchers would argue that it cannot, the recent Powerball lottery frenzy in the US strongly suggests that many of us believe that it can. Is money the key to happiness? Or, do time and life satisfaction mean more? Is it the ability to buy material goods and experiences that people desire, or the notion that money can provide a sense of security and the potential to lead a fulfilled life?
Recorded March 22, 2016, in Kelowna, BC.
Success doesn’t come by accident. Hear from one of Canada’s leading entrepreneurs, David McLean, OBC, LLD’94, FIC.D, about his path to success and the ups and downs that came along with it. David has been the driver behind many highly successful businesses – in aviation, film studios, real estate development and communications. He, along with his wife Brenda and their children, share that success by supporting many philanthropic endeavors across Canada. Hear the stories behind this outspoken champion of entrepreneurship, education and community service.
Canada has been lauded for its generosity in striving to welcome and resettle some 25,000 Syrian refugees over the coming months, a stark contrast to our neighbours south of the border. However, critics have expressed concern about whether such a large scale resettlement project can be undertaken in a safe and responsible way within such a short timeline.
In response to recent security concerns, Canada has limited the immigration flow to women, children and families and excluded single males – a decision applauded by some and criticized by others as being discriminatory. And, while providing asylum to 25,000 displaced Syrians is a good start, it pales in comparison to the hundreds of thousands of refugees taken in by European countries and Middle East.
Our panel of experts addressed these critical issues regarding the influx of Syrian refugees to Canada and also discussed what this mass diaspora means for Canadians and for future Canadian immigration and refugee policies.
Presented by the Peter A. Allard School of Law, in partnership with alumni UBC
Notable Egyptian-Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy has spent his career in conflict zones covering major stories for outlets including New York Times and CNN. However, in December 2013, during his time as Egypt Bureau Chief of Al Jazeera International, Fahmy made international headlines when he and two colleagues were arrested by Egyptian authorities and charged with falsifying news and conspiring with the banned fundamentalist group, the Muslim Brotherhood. He was incarcerated for 438 days alongside ISIS terrorists and jihadists, during which time Egypt’s government faced mounting pressure to release the three journalists. In September 2015, the government pardoned Fahmy, allowing him to return to Canada, where he joined UBC’s School of Journalism for a term as a visiting professor. How did his incarceration change him personally as well as his views on media control and press freedoms? What role did diplomatic relations play in this case?
Recorded January 19, 2016, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre in Vancouver, BC. Moderated by Margaret Gallagher, host of CBC Radio One’s Hot Air.
News travels fast online. However, so do rumours, shocking photos, veiled advertisements and outright lies. With the rise of social media and citizen journalism, we’ve never had so many messages, from so many sources, available at our fingertips. However, it has become clear in recent years that news shared online comes with serious risks due to its lack of objectivity and its emphasis on speed and volume over fact. Public shaming is one expression of this modern reality, as well as increasing sponsored and promotional content blurring the lines of news and advertisement. Given the absence of context and abundance of competing voices online, how do we know who and what to trust? Can we see past the click-bait headlines and advertorials, and continue to be informed about the world around us? Is there a place for objective journalism anymore?
Recorded March 9, 2016, at Performance Works in Vancouver, BC.
Moderator
Karen Burgess – Executive Producer for News, CBC Vancouver
Panelists
Valerie Casselton, BA’77 – Associate Editor, Integrated Projects for PNG
Farhan Mohamed – Editor-in-Chief and a partner of Vancity Buzz
Paul Watson – Best-selling Writer, Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist
Steve Woodward – Sessional Instructor, UBC School of Journalism, Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist
Robo-cars are coming. Whether the idea of autonomous vehicles excites or terrifies you, these technologies appear to be the future of transportation and their societal implications will be broad. While there will undoubtedly be many benefits to this ‘robo-car’ driven world, this possibility raises many important social, legal and ethical questions that may serve as barriers to wide adoption of these technologies. On this episode, Brad Templeton, futurist, ‘robo-car’ commentator and former advisor to Google’s self-driving car program talks about the future of autonomous transportation. He will explore what it will mean for the future of cities, healthy living and sustainability; while also delving into the important dilemmas that arise when we consider giving up control.
Recorded March 2, 2016, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre in Vancouver, BC.
On the afternoon of March 2, 2016, futurist and internet pioneer/activist, Brad Templeton spoke to a room full of Science and Applied Science students. His afternoon talk covered a range of topics including the secret ingredients of the internet; the future of bandwidth, the reality of the “internet of things”.
As President and CEO of WestJet, Gregg Saretsky, BSc’82, MBA’84, has a challenging job, leading a complex organization in the highly competitive North American aviation industry. From its inclusive decision-making processes to its innovative and emotionally-charged ads, it is clear that much of WestJet’s success can be attributed to its unique corporate culture. Since starting in the top leadership role in 2010, Saretsky has proven to be the leader that WestJet needs; embracing this culture and combining it with decades of industry experience to drive the company in new and exciting directions. Listen as he shares stories about the experiences that have influenced his career, and hear his thoughts about some of the important trends that future leaders should be paying attention to.
UBC researchers are leading the world towards a brighter future. To celebrate UBC’s Centennial year, we are holding a series of programs that will bring the best of UBC research to communities across the country. Each program in the Centennial Speaker Series will feature key UBC researchers in areas as diverse as composite materials, labour economics, quantum materials, cancer research, clean energy, and biodiversity. The researchers briefly presented highlights from their research before answering questions from the audience.
Recorded March 7, 2016, at Centre Block on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, ON.
Speakers
Dr. Sarah Burke – Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Nanoscience; Assistant Professor, Departments of Physics & Astronomy, and Chemistry
Dr. Thomas Lemieux – Professor and Director, Vancouver School of Economics, UBC
Dr. Walter Mérida – Director, Clean Energy Research Centre; Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Torsten O. Nielsen – Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine; Associate Director, MD/PhD Program
Dr. Sarah (Sally) Otto – Director, Biodiversity Research Centre; Professor, Zoology
Dr. Anoush Poursartip – Director, Composites Research Network; Professor, Materials Engineering
Determining the location for your new business is just one of many key business decisions involved in the planning process, but what’s next? For Your Next Step: Starting Your Business in Kelowna, our expert panelists discussed where the growth opportunities are in Kelowna and what programs and resources are available to help you get your business up and running. Find out the benefits and drawbacks to owning your own business and discover what you need to do in order to successfully launch and grow your business. Also, Kelowna entrepreneurs share their pitches and tips from their experiences.
Note: This episode contains a lot of great advice for future entrepreneurs, regardless of your location.
UBC researchers are leading the world towards a brighter future. To celebrate UBC’s Centennial year, we are holding a series of programs that will bring the best of UBC research to communities across the country. Each program in the Centennial Speaker Series will feature key UBC researchers in areas as diverse as clean energy, biodiversity, housing affordability, and journalism; presenting highlights from their work before engaging in a brief discussion about the important role their research plays in modern society.
Speakers
Thomas Davidoff – Associate Professor, Strategy and Business Economics Division, UBC Sauder School of Business
Peter Klein, Associate Professor, UBC School of Journalism
Walter Mérida – Director, Clean Energy Research Centre; Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Sarah (Sally) Otto – Director, Biodiversity Research Centre; Professor, Zoology
What does it mean to be influential? While some people possess a natural talent to make themselves heard, for others it is a skill that requires years to perfect. However, it’s critical to develop this ability as it can mean the difference between achieving one’s goals and failing to mobilize the support or resources one requires. Hear from a panel of business and community leaders who have leveraged their mastery of the art of influence to achieve impressive results.
Recorded February 10, 2016, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre in Vancouver, BC. Presented in partnership with the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs.
Panelists Janet Austin – CEO, YWCA of Metro Vancouver Shayne Ramsay – CEO, BC Housing Bob Rennie – Executive Director/Founder, The Rennie Group Ltd. Lisa von Sturmer – Founder and CEO of Growing City
Entrepreneurs at companies like Slack and Hootsuite have put Vancouver’s $23 billion high tech industry on the map. But building the economy of tomorrow—not to mention a utopian, Star Trek future—means taking a step beyond the digital. We need fundamental leaps in computing power, clean energy, and smart materials.
Now a new set of innovators and disruptors are setting up shop in Vancouver, looking to harness the extremes of physics to build tomorrow’s technologies.
We chat with leaders at Vancouver quantum computing start-up D-Wave, magnetized target fusion pioneer GeneralFusion, and UBC’s world-renowned Quantum Matter Institute. These local, award-winning teams are on the long path in pursuit of game-changing solutions—warpdrive, transporters and holo-decks might be closer than we think.
Recorded February 3, 2016, at Roundhouse Community Arts Centre, in Vancouver, BC.
UBC researchers are leading the world towards a brighter future. To celebrate UBC’s Centennial year, we are holding a series of programs that will bring the best of UBC research to communities across the country. Each program in the Centennial Speaker Series will feature key UBC researchers in areas as diverse as sports concussions, water governance, and epigenetics; presenting highlights from their work before engaging in a brief discussion about the important role their research plays in modern society.
Recorded January 26, 2016, in Calgary, AB.
Speakers Paul van Donkelaar, BPE’87, MPE’90 – Director, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, UBC Okanagan Karen Bakker – Professor, Canada Research Chair in Political Ecology, Department of Geography and Founding Director of the Program on Water Governance, UBC’s Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability Michael Kobor – Professor and Canada Research Chair in Social Epigenetics, UBC